Labor union to Grand Rapids leaders: Show thanks for flood response in new contract

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Several red-shirted members of the city’s largest labor union expressed how hard they worked during recent flooding, and said they want Grand Rapids leaders to keep that in mind while bargaining a new contract.

Representatives of the Grand Rapids Employees Independent Union attended City Commission’s Tuesday, April 30, meeting. The group’s current contract, which set the bar for wage and benefit concessions that now are helping the city get its budget on track, expires this summer.

“Last contract, we had a lot of takeaways,” GREIU president Joe Casalina said. “This year, we’re hoping to do a little better.”

Union members said some of them worked 16-hour days as the city prepped for a Grand River flood crest that never reached as high as forecasters thought it might. They said they rose to the occasion - despite working under a contract with wage and benefit cuts - when the city needed extra help.

“We can put all that aside for the good of greater Grand Rapids,” Casalina said.

Most workers were paid for their time during the flood, though some volunteered, he said. The union in 2011 reached a labor deal with the city that cut overall compensation by 8.2 percent, setting a model that was followed by the city’s other labor unions as Grand Rapids tries to balance its budget.

A draft 2013-2014 budget now under City Commission review is balanced, and starts to put away money for the future. Grand Rapids leaders hope by 2018 to have about $32 million in reserve.

City Manager Greg Sundstrom said the city needs to build up its reserve funds in case of another economic decline. He told union members at the meeting that “the citizens will never fully appreciate the work that was done (during the flood), but I do.” He also stated that “what was amazing was how little management you all needed” during the flood.

“Might be a lesson there,” said a union member in the audience.

Mayor George Heartwell lauded union members for their work during the flood.

“I didn’t hear a quid pro quo from labor,” he said. “Our employees gave their full measure (during the flood). They went over and above their jobs. We recognize that.”